Hauraki Mayor Says Family Violence is Not OK
13 December 2007
Hauraki Mayor John Tregidga is taking a stand against family violence.
"Communities need to stand up and say family violence is not OK. For me this issue is about taking a leadership role," he said.
Mr Tregidga admits he didn't know much about the effects of family violence until recently. "I never knew what it was.
"However I despaired when I came across family violence in my private capacity as an employer. I realised the impact family violence has on victims.
"Then the Silent Faces exhibition came to our region and it really brought home to me how serious this issue is. I was shocked at the numbers of people affected by family violence in my community, and I know that is only the tip of the iceberg."
‘It's not good enough for our communities to expect government agencies and police to address this issue on their own. We all need to stand up and say it's not OK.
"I can remember 20 years ago when drinking and driving was accepted. Look what we have achieved with education and publicity and everyone getting on board."
The Hauraki District Council has developed and endorsed a Domestic Violence Policy which sets out its commitment to creating a violence free Hauraki including:
• taking an active role in advocating that domestic violence is not acceptable in the Hauraki District Community
• working with local agencies to help raise awareness about the unacceptability of domestic violence, the impact it has on individuals and their families and methods to reduce violence in the Hauraki community.
The council is supporting the local family violence network to develop a community wide plan for reducing and preventing family violence.
Mr Tregidga also plans to actively encourage other prominent local people to join with him and speak up about domestic violence.
"No-one can condone violence. We need to take a leadership role where we can. It won't be solved in the short term, but it's a start.
"When we can go down the street and see every man wearing a white ribbon, I will feel we are really making a difference.
